Last July, as I was preparing to present to the NAfME Southwest Division Collegiate Summit, I decided to do a quick poll in one of the big music teacher groups.
Helping Parents and (Other Potential Volunteers) Say: “Sign Me Up!”
My parents have had the same hairstyles for over 50 years. They’re incredibly immune to cultural pressure to change and phenomenal at ignoring (or diplomatically refusing) public and personal requests.
Mix It Up: Take Fresh Look at Those Same Measures
Sometimes you reach a place in your ensemble rehearsal where woodshedding a few difficult measures is no longer fun – or effective.
Quick Rehearsal Tip: Creative Warmups for Jazz Ensembles
The jazz ensemble warmup is a great opportunity to teach some scales that are useful in jazz improvisation. Common modes like mixolydian or dorian will help get the players moving around their horns and will also give them some basic improvisational tools.
Featured Repertoire: City of Steel by Doug Spata
Looking for a dramatic Grade 4 piece that can help motivate student development in 16th notes, chromatics, and shifting? Doug Spata’s City of Steel is a great choice.
Quick Rehearsal Tip: Learning Tricky Rhythms
When planning to teach a new selection that includes a tricky rhythm, I suggest teaching the rhythm separately before sight reading the piece.
Upbeat! Creating a Positive Culture in Music Ensembles
When you wake up in the morning, do you look forward to your day of teaching music with excitement and anticipation?
Music Ed Mentor Podcast #56: Getting Funding – Award Application Tips
Years ago I did some survey work to discover the biggest cause of stress in the lives of music educators.
Pre-Band Instruments: Opening New Opportunities for Everyone
Beginning band instructors spend a lot of their time at the end of the school year recruiting future ensemble members.
Silence Is Golden: Especially When You’re On the Podium
Let’s say you’re getting close to your performance date and your students are reasonably prepared. Want to try something different that could introduce new levels of understanding?